Hello, Old Friends

Ever since its announcement, I've been looking forward to DC Comics' Convergence series and spin-offs.  Why?  Like a lot of long-time readers, I have a personal history invested in the "old" characters (i.e., pre-New 52).  Not only that, they seem to have more personality and character development than those in the New 52. 

Of the main series, I've read Convergence #0 and #1 so far.  It's been interesting, but even better have been the spin-off Convergence series.  The ones I've read from week one have been:   

• Convergence: Speed Force #1 - starring the (Caucasian) Wally West Flash and his two speedy kids
• Convergence: Superman #1 - starring Superman and his pregnant wife Lois Lane
• Convergence: The Atom #1 - starring an "I-Hear-Voices" Ray Palmer
• Convergence:  Nightwing & Oracle #1 - starring a romantically involved Dick Grayson and wheelchair-bound Barbara Gordon
• Convergence:  The Titans #1 - starring Donna Troy, Starfire, and Arsenal
• Convergence:  Harley Quinn #1 - starring a fully clothed Harley

All of got to say is:  FANTASTIC.  This is what DC Comics has been missing for the past four years since the inception of the New 52 Universe.  Not only does it bring back the characters that I know and love and that have an actual history, but it involves character development, human emotion/interaction, and decent dialogue.  Maybe people (myself included) wouldn't dislike the New 52 Universe so much if it wasn't focused on dreariness, flat emotions, battles/fight scenes, and cheesy dialogue.

With these Convergence titles, I get Wally West worried about his kids and wife, Superman looking forward to being a father, the Atom wigging out, Dick Grayson proposing to Barbara Gordon, Starfire being jealous about Dick's romance, Roy Harper still agonizing over the death of his daughter, Donna Troy working her photographer job, and Harley Quinn interacting with Catwoman and Poison Ivy again.  (Not to mention Captain Carrot's teammate Fastback chasing after Wally West!)  These are real human traits, feelings, and emotions, and they're what's missing from DC Comics today. 

The bigger question about Convergence is: Why is the storywriting so much better?  Is it due to the return of the better characters?  Or are they using writers who aren't fatigued and/or mandated to write crap? 

I'm not sure what the future holds for the DC Universe, but I'm thinking that if they decide to stick with the flat, two-dimensional characters of the New 52 Universe, then I'll probably drop several titles and maybe even quit reading comics all together again.  (And don't even get me started with the new Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman; I've already canceled those comics.)  Until then, I'm going to enjoy seeing my old friends converge.

Teen Titans - #AwYeah?

I just read Teen Titans #1 (2014).  What volume are we up to?  Who can keep track anymore?  Anyway, it's the second Teen Titans #1 comic already in the New 52 which began in 2011.  

First, the cover.  For a first issue, it's pretty average.  It doesn't say much.  It doesn't give me much insight into the interior, what the story's about, or make me think, "Oh, that looks great.  I wanna buy that."  

On the other hand, I really like Kenneth Rocafort's art and the vibrate colors that leap off the page.  I appreciate that DC tried to appeal to a younger crowd by incorporating social media into the cover, like Twitter ("Chirper" here with #hashtags and @mentions) and Facebook (with the facial tags in the image), but it still doesn't give me any insight into the comic's contents.    

It's also interesting to note that even though they're starting another Teen Titans series (after only a month hiatus), they chose not to create a new logo to distinguish the new series with a "new direction" with a new logo.  They didn't even bother to include "NEW" in the title like the New Suicide Squad series which underwent a similar cancellation/month hiatus/revamp to help boost sales, too.  I have to say that the New 52 logo is my least favorite (and the least creative) of all the TT logos from series' past, so I'm disappointed that they didn't even try something new and different.  My favorite logos, of course, being from the 1980 and 2003 series.  

In this latest first issue, the team, fortunately, is already established.  We don't have to go through another origin story.  I will say that I already like the characters in this new series much better than the previous attempt.  Are they the same characters?  Yes.  But apparently DC listened to its readers and decided to make the comic more "fun" than dark and dreary.  Cassie/Wonder Girl is much more pleasant and easier to deal with.  She's not the friendly Cassie of pre-Flashpoint, but she's better than the first New 52 grumpy version.  And so far, she hasn't said, "Don't call me Wonder Girl" (even though she IS Wonder Girl).  Let's keep it that way.  

Also, Gar is green.  Again.  Beast Boy started out in the New 52 as red.  Now, mysteriously, he's back to being his original green from Pre-Flashpoint, and so far, nobody's questioning it, and we're not given an explanation why.  Will this be addressed?  I'm not complaining, because I do like a green Gar better, so thanks also for that character change. 

That's SO NOT Raven.

Red Robin and Bunker are pretty much the same, so that leaves Raven.  Sigh...  Shrouded in darkness and mystery, she was one of my favorite characters before.  Now she's only shrouded in feathers.  Gone, too, are the squiggly lines around her word balloons that let us know that her voice was oddly inhuman.  I guess she doesn't sound that different from the rest of the teens now, so that's good if she wants to get a job as a phone sex operator.

The award for "Least Missed" in this new series goes to N.O.W.H.E.R.E. and Harvest, both of whom (thank Trigon) didn't make an appearance in the first issue. 
There is, however, a S.T.A.R. Labs, though, like in the 1980s series. 

The best thing about this new series is that the five teenage superheroes are all working together as a team.  Let's hope we can continue to see the team evolve with additional character development and interaction between our five heroes and any new ones that may be added in the future. 

Up and Atom

X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1

I just finished reading all ten chapters of the X-Men crossover story "Battle of the Atom."  It was a nod to Chris Claremont and John Byrne's "Days of Future Past" storyline that ran in Uncanny X-Men #141 and #142 in 1981, just in time to give some more attention to the upcoming 2014 X-Men: Days of Future Past film.  There's a lot of time-traveling in "Battle of the Atom."  The original five teenage X-Men have already come from the past into present day (the concept for the All-New X-Men comic), and now the X-Men from the future travel back to present day in an effort to send them back to their original time period.  Got all that?  At one point, there are three different Icemen and three different Beasts.  What this has to do with atoms is anyone's guess.  But it's a pretty cool title (and logo) nonetheless.

Marvel did a good job of labeling each chapter in the story so readers wouldn't have to figure out what order to read the comics in.  The downside was that if you didn't currently read all of the X-titles, you were pretty much forced to buy all of them to fully understand what's going on.  There was little to no distinction with the characters from book to book.  For example, if you currently only read Wolverine and the X-Men, you didn't get a story featuring the title's regular characters.  You got the next chapter of the "Battle of the Atom" storyline, most likely featuring the original five teenage X-Men and/or their future counterparts.  Bookending the storyline was a two-issue X-Men: Battle of the Atom limited series.

X-Men #5

The most confusing aspect was figuring out which title you were reading at any given moment.  All of the X-titles use the same font for their logos, and they all had the same yellow border.  There was little to distinguish them from one another.  It was especially confusing when it came to the regular monthly simply titled X-Men comic vs. the limited series X-Men: Battle of the Atom comic.  (See images above and to the right.  One is the regular X-Men title and the other is the limited series, but they both have "X-Men" and "Battle of the Atom" on their covers.  Splitting up the words doesn't really make it less confusing.) 

Like most of Marvel's major "events" of late, nothing really dramatic or drastic occurs at the conclusion of "Battle of the Atom."  Some may disagree, but to me it's nothing when compared to crossover events like Marvel's Secret Wars in 1984 that gave us Spider-Man's new black costume or the She-Hulk replacing long-time Fantastic Four member The Thing while he stays on Battleworld in his own monthly series.  Or even when compared to House of M when the Scarlet Witch declared "No More Mutants."  And it's certainly nothing like DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths or Flashpoint that changed things "forever" in the DC Universe.  

Uncanny X-Men #139

Was it good, though?  Sure. It was actually much better than the X-Men crossover stories over the past several years (e.g., "Nation X," "Necrosha," "Second Coming," or "Age of X," just to name a few).   It would just be nice that when an X-Men or Avengers crossover arc is said and done, everyone goes back to ONE team/book.  Wolverine does not need to appear in every X-book.  Iron Man and Thor don't need to appear in every Avengers title. Mr. Fantastic shouldn't be both an Avenger and a member of the Fantastic Four.  There.  I said it.  I couldn't even tell you who's on what team because everyone just appears everywhere in the Marvel Universe.  I don't know when they even have time to poop.  It would make me more excited about purchasing a certain comic if I knew particular characters were going to appear in there every month.  For example, where can I read about Kitty Pryde?  Who knows?  Uncanny X-Men?  X-Men?  All-New X-Men?  Wolverine and the X-Men?  The answer would be:  YES. And NO. It just depends.  When we do see glimpses of her, is it anything like her character development in the 1980s in the ONE X-title of the day, Uncanny X-Men?  NO.  She's just another (intangible) warm body.  I really miss good storytelling and character development/interaction.   Some may think that Scott Summers and Jean Grey are the Ross and Rachel of the X-Men world.  To me, it will always be Kitty Pryde and Peter Rasputin.  He'll always be her lobster.  

Green Arrow Misses The Target

When I was a teenager/young adult, Green Arrow was one of my favorite comic book series.  I'm sure it was in large part to the tremendous writing on the series from Mike Grell.  In fact, it was so good that it prompted me to write in with compliments (and have my letters published!) a few times.  Although it resided within the DC Universe, its stories stood apart from the rest of Earth One's superheroes.  They were a lot more than just battle sequences, which frequently get boring.  It involved Green Arrow/Oliver Queen's relationship with Dinah Lance/Black Canary, their flower shop Sherwood Florist in Seattle, Dinah's rape, Oliver's infidelity with Shado and the resulting son, etc.

When I started reading comics again in 2007, one of the series I decided to pick up was Green Arrow & Black Canary, to see what was going on with two of my favorite characters.  To my surprise, Oliver Queen wasn't the Green Arrow of the series.  His son Connor Hawke was.  I had never heard of Connor Hawke.  So Ollie had another kid out of wedlock...and it still wasn't with Dinah?  Sheesh.  Apparently, Ollie didn't believe in any form of birth control. 

Fortunately, soon into the Green Arrow & Black Canary series, Ollie returns to claim his rightful title.  I went and bought all of the back issues of wedding issues and specials to see what I missed.  I really liked this new team series.  It was fun and entertaining.  I even liked seeing Connor Hawke and the new Speedy, Mia Dearden, appear regularly.  They made a great foursome.  Then came the introduction of Cupid.  She was an interesting villain/character at first, but when she started appearing in EVERY issue, that's when my interest started to wane. Who was this series about anyway?  Green Arrow and Black Canary...or Cupid?  DC saw declining sales and so changed the focus (and title) of the book to only Green Arrow.  (Even I could have told them it was not because of Black Canary, but because of stupid Cupid.)  That's when Green Arrow started being serious again, with the killing of Prometheus and running off into the magical forest that once was Star City, following the events of Blackest Night.  The new Green Arrow solo series labeled with the Brightest Day banner was interesting, but I missed the fun of the early Green Arrow & Black Canary issues, and I missed seeing Ollie and Dinah together as a couple. 

Then came the infamous New 52 following Flashpoint.  Oliver Queen is now a young man (a boy, if you will).  He has no facial hair and, as far as I know, has never even met Dinah Lance!  [GASP!  The horrors!]  Because I like Green Arrow in concept, I've read the first 24 issues of the latest Green Arrow series (volume 4 of his solo series titles; volume 5 if you include Green Arrow & Black Canary).  I can honestly say that I don't think I've truly enjoyed a single issue.  Like most, though, I didn't attribute my initial dislike to the writing of J.T. Krul at the beginning of the series.  I think he did the best with what he had to work with, which wasn't much.  Following Krul's dismissal, DC turned over the reigns to Ann Nocenti.  That's when I came to discover that Nocenti is one of the worst comic book writers out there.  I realize she's been writing for many, many, many years, but maybe it's time to force her retirement.  Her storytelling is awful; her dialogue is worse.  And now she's dragging down Catwoman and Katana with her.  In fact, the solo Katana series has already been canceled.  Coincidence?  I think not.  Catwoman's sure to be on the chopping block next.  And don't even get me started about the disappointment with The Joker's Daughter #1.  Seriously...WTF was that about anyway?  Another lame reintroduction to another potential star (see: Amethyst). 

So I was thrilled that DC execs finally came to their senses and moved Nocenti off Green Arrow, giving the series to writer Jeff Lemire (Animal Man).  Sadly, the series is still too boring for me, featuring too many battle sequences and not enough characterization and character interaction/relationships.  I miss the days when Oliver Queen was a man (a sexy man at that), when he had a history and relationship with Dinah Lance/Black Canary, had a strong friendship with Hal Jorden/Green Lantern, had a bunch of rugrats from different babymamas, had a sense of humor, was a strong Democrat, and fought for the little people.   Now he's just this dopey boy who used to have a company similar to Apple and runs around with two associates who create his arrows and buzz in his ear.  Even the reintroduction of Count Vertigo was short-lived and lame.  And now, Ollie's just met the Shado of the New 52 Universe who had a child...from his father.  EW.  

So, I'm done.  For the first time in many, many years, Green Arrow is no longer on my monthly pull list.  It was a good run, but I can't stand to see a good character unnecessarily spin out of control, even where Count Vertigo is involved. 

Still Hungry for More...NOW.

I'm still scratching my head, trying to figure out what the big deal was about the Age of Ultron limited series.   I was prepared (and excited) for something colossal to happen.  What I got was a mishmash of storylines and characters.  There was no cohesion.  Every issue featured different characters.  And issue #10 was so "top secret" that it had to come in a sealed polybag?  So they saved the universe from Ultron's threat by changing the timestream.  And...the big revelation is bringing some scantily clad chick named Angela over from Image Comics' Spawn series?  Meh.  Even Flashpoint was more interesting, and I hate what that did to the DC Universe.

Figuring it was a tie-in to the conclusion, I pre-ordered what was previously listed as Age of Ultron #10UC before Marvel changed the title to Hunger.  Wow.  What an idiot I am.  As hinted at, it *does* feature Galactus (just a tiny bit), but it's mostly about teenage punk Rick Jones from Marvel's Ultimate Universe, which I don't even read.  

Because I've always been a fan of the Vision (especially when he and Scarlet Witch were a couple in the 1980s), I also picked up Avengers A.I., thinking a team full of robot-like characters sounded pretty interesting and something unique.  Sadly, the first issue was pretty disappointing because it was extremely...average.  I didn't care about any of the characters (even Vision who wasn't even in the story enough, being that he's probably the biggest draw). 

Age of Ultron (and anything related to it) has -- so far -- been pretty lame.  DC's Flashpoint at least made some sense.  I don't get the whole Marvel NOW initiative.  What exactly are they trying to do besides just restart series with #1 issues for the sake of sales?  Where are the big, life-changing events?  More importantly, where are the decent stories?



 

Time for Another Threesome

The word "trinity" is becoming as synonymous with DC Comics as the word "crisis."  It usually refers to DC's oldest and most commonly known icons: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. 

In 2003, a three-issue mini-series titled Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity was published, written and drawn by Matt Wagner.  It told of the first meeting of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.

In 2008-2009, a weekly series titled Trinity replaced the 52 weekly series.  It, too, featured Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.  

Now, in 2013, DC Comics is offer the "Trinity War" storyline.  While it does feature the three superheroes again, the "trinity" in this story refers to the Trinity of Sin:  Pandora, Phantom Stranger, and the Question.  It could also refer to the three Justice Leagues -- Justice League, Justice League of America, and Justice League Dark -- as the story runs through all three titles, and the consequences of the war is supposed to affect all three teams.  I'm only halfway through the complete crossover story, but so far, it's one of the better stories I've read by DC since the New 52 began.  Unfortunately, typical New 52 story fare shows all the superheroes as "angry" and "stubborn," two qualities I prefer my superheroes not to have, unless it's Guy Gardner.  "Trinity War" also depicts the characters as angry (since the three teams are fighting one another), but at least it's a better told story. 

I like the character of Pandora, and I'm glad that DC gave her her own series.  (Kudos to DC for adding another female solo superhero comic!  She now joins the ranks of DC's growing number of female-led comics such as Batgirl, Batwoman, Birds of Prey, Katana, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Worlds' Finest (starring Power Girl and Huntress), and the forthcoming Harley Quinn.)  Pandora reminds me of Pariah from Crisis on Infinite Earths.  She's doomed to witness the woes of the planet/universe for all eternity.  She also wears a dark, creepy hooded robe, like the pre-New 52 Raven. 

Since Pandora first appeared at the end of the Flashpoint mini-series which led to DC's New 52 (that wiped out every character's history and personality), I've always had hopes that the New 52 was temporary and Pandora would help dissolve this new world and bring DC back to its former glory.  I fear that's not going to happen with "Trinity War," but one can still hope. 

At any rate, I'm enjoying the storyline and the lame-up-til-now Justice League comics. Let's hope Pandora not only rocks my world, but hers as well. 

Stop it, you're Culling me.

Teen Titans (volume 2364) Annual #1

I just read "The Culling" storyline that ran through the recent issues of Teen Titans, Superboy, and Legion Lost (although I didn't read the Legion Lost issues because I don't normally read that comic).  At one point, I had to flip back to the cover of the comic I was reading to check out the credits and make sure it wasn't Felicia Henderson writing Teen Titans again.  (We all know how that turned out the last time.)   It felt rudimentary and written by a beginner who didn't care a whit about character development.  It was like reading a script for a porn movie vs. reading the script for Schindler's List.  That's how awful the story and dialogue was.

The concept of "The Culling" itself might have been better if it wasn't already so prevalent in everyone's minds as a little story called The Hunger Games.  Worse, this story has already been done before in the last volume of Teen Titans, when it was called the Dark Side Club, pitting Titan against Titan in the ring for others' enjoyment.  Only this time, instead of getting the Terror Titans series out of the story, we get The Ravagers. Worst, the name "The Culling" itself only brings to mind Edward Cullen from the God-awful Twilight series.  They're trying to capitalize on the popularity of both Twilight and The Hunger Games in one fell swoop.  [Insert barf here.]

Superboy and Bunker

The best part of the story came after all was said and done and the team was bathing half-naked in some spa pools in a mystical dinosaur-laden land.  Here, we finally get some real character interaction that doesn't feel forced (or poorly written).  We also get a bit of comedy as we see Bunker calling out Superboy's hotness, something we don't get to see anymore now that he's no longer in a tight-fitting T-shirt and jeans.  

And speaking of costumes, where did the Teen Titans get theirs?  At the estate sale for the latest Tron movie?

Now on to The Ravagers, their name taken from the former Ravager herself, Rose Wilson, daughter of Deathstroke, leaving the new Rose Wilson in DC's New 52 without a codename.  She's just known as Rose Wilson.  Not Rose, but Rose Wilson.  This Rose Wilson still has both her eyes, though, having never lost one of them to her father's madness.  In fact, I don't think we even know if she's related to the new Deathstroke.  Who knows in the New 52?  And, seriously, at this point, who cares?  Please, please, please let this all just be happening on Earth-52 and eventually get back to Earth-1 where all of my favorite characters still reside pre-Flashpoint. 

Ravagers #1

In The Ravagers, the team consists of Caitlin Fairchild, Terra, Beast Boy, Thunder and Lightning, Rose Wilson, Warblade, and Ridge.  Fairchild has the ability to pump up her boobs.  Terra, Beast Boy, Thunder, and Lightning aren't the characters we know (and love!) from Teen Titans past.  Rose Wilson is...well, Rose Wilson.  Or some cheap white-haired knock-off of her.  Warblade is a character that might have (and did) come out of the 1990s when comic stories started to get as lame as the generic codenames that came along with them.  (See: any 1990s X-title.)  Ridge, a new character to DC Comics, seems to be the only decent character, and maybe that's because there is no former character or past history of his to fuck up. 

Young Justice #0

To summarize, Marv Wolfman and George Perez's New Teen Titans is what made me seriously start reading and collecting comics in 1981.  Geoff Johns' Teen Titans is what made me start reading comics again in 2007 after a 15-year absence.  Unfortunately, DC's New 52 version of Teen Titans might make me stop reading comics again all together.   Young Justice, the cartoon series and related comic from DC's kid-friendly all-ages line, does a better job of treating the legacy of Teen Titans (and its long-time readers) with respect. 

Flashpoint Woes

I'm still in mourning over the passing of the former DC Universe to make way for the "New 52."  I've been giving the new DC comic series a try, but I'm having a difficult time pretending that everything is starting from scratch where the main Justice Leaguers don't even know one another yet!

Remember what happened when the TV show Dallas pulled that kind of shit, brought back Bobby from the dead, and said the entire past season had been only a dream of Pam's?  Viewers were pissed off, the series dropped out of the Top 10, and the show's ratings declined even further from there.  

Sure, DC's sales are skyrocketing right now out of curiosity, but how long will that last?   The only comics I've truly enjoyed are Animal Man and Aquaman.  I've probably enjoyed these the most because I haven't kept up-to-date with these two characters for over a decade and because thus far their stories have operated separately from the rest of the new DCU.  It doesn't hurt to have good writers onboard either.  But is that enough? 

Unfortunately for DC, I no longer have an emotional connection to any of my favorite characters, which makes me not care about reading about their adventures any longer (if they're even in the New 52).  So, tell me again why I should continue to put forth $100 a month to something about which I'm no longer passionate? 

Earth Two: the Sideways Earth

Huntress #1 (2011)

DC Comics' mini-series Flashpoint has apparently undone Crisis on Infinite Earths.  Along with a lot of other 1980s revivals in the New 52, DC has announced that they're bringing back Earth Two, along with a new Justice Society of America monthly series set on this alternate Earth.  They've also hinted that there's a connection between this new JSA series, the new Huntress mini-series, the Mister Terrific ongoing series, and the latest Birds of Prey series.  Does this mean that the all of these series are currently taking place on Earth Two and we just don't know it?  It's quite possible.  Have there been any crossovers with these series and other series in the New 52?  Not that I've seen. 

Infinity Inc. #1 (1984)

While some (or most) may scoff at this idea, I'm kind of digging it.  Why?  With Earth Two, it opens the door for  reviving Infinity Inc. and the Young All-Stars (two of my favorite 1980s series).  It would also allow DC to compete with Marvel's successful "Ultimate" universe and its myriad of titles.  

The downside to an Earth Two Huntress?  I guess that would mean that the romance between Huntress and Catman would never happen.  But she would (hopefully) be the daughter of Batman and Catwoman again, and that would be pretty cool.   

Young All-Stars #1 (1987)

But the biggest mystery for me is...what's the connection with Birds of Prey?  Does that mean that the current Birds of Prey series doesn't take place on Earth One or New Earth or whatever it's called now? 

As for the new Huntress #1, it was just okay.  I've always liked Huntress as a character, but have never felt that anyone's ever done anything spectacular story-wise with her.  She's always felt like more of a supporting/team player than a headliner.  So maybe there's a place for her (again) in a new Infinity, Inc.

Say Hello to the Newest Supergirl

I like the idea of Supergirl.  Besides her cousin Kal-El (better known as Superman), she's a stranger to Earth.  However, unlike Superman, she doesn't come to Earth as an infant.  She comes as a teenager/young adult, so her reception is a bit more jarring.  But, seriously, how many different versions do we need or can we handle for Kara Zor-El?  She's died and been brought back to life more often than a soap opera personality.

I wasn't crazy about the Matrix version of Supergirl or the most recent version of her before the Flashpoint event (but I was getting used to it).   Now we have DC Comics' latest version of her in the New 52, post-Flashpoint.  Rather than crash-landing in Smallville or Metropolis (how convenient), this latest incarnation of Supergirl lands in Siberia, fully clothed in her "S" regalia.  She's unsure where she is and why the sun looks different.  Russia's army of robots comes after her and she's sure that she'll be killed.  That's when she begins to realize that she has some strange powers.  

The comic held my interest throughout, so that's a good sign.  I look forward to seeing where DC takes her.  

As for her new costume, it's not bad, but it's definitely an older version than the previous teenager's bare midriff one.  I miss the playful skirt, though, and I'm not sure about the above-the-thigh one-piece that the latest version wears.  I think that part could be a bit lower on the sides and that maybe she could lose the big red "V" in the front that basically screams, "Here's my Vagina!"

Aqualad: FAIL

It seems that Aqualad just can't catch a break.  

First, there was the original Aqualad from the Teen Titans, Garth, that everyone seemed to make fun of and, basically, found useless.  In an attempt to recreate/reimagine himself, Garth became Tempest.  Unfortunately, Tempest never caught on in popularity either.  To put him (and his legion of non-fans) out of their misery, in the Blackest Night maxi-series, Garth is killed off.  

To revamp the Aqualad name and bring some diversity into the teenage superheroes of the DC Universe (besides the go-to Static), a new Aqualad appears in Brightest Day #10.  He's African-American; sports dreadlocks, a cooler costume, and tats; has better/expanded powers; and has a mystery surrounding him.  At this point, it seems like DC is really going to do something big with an Aqualad. 

Then comes DC's event series Flashpoint...and changes all DC history.  Where is Aqualad?  Is there an Aqualad?  Who knows.  He's not shown in any new issue of the new Aquaman series.  He also doesn't appear in the new Teen Titans series. 

Goodbye, Aqualad.  We hardly knew ye. 

Flashpoint Fizzles Out

I just finished reading the 5-part Flashpoint mini-series and several related individual mini-series.  I was a bit disappointed, especially with the "grand" finale in Flashpoint #5.  All of the events just seemed to...fizzle out.  (Is anyone as tired of the overused Reverse Flash/Professor Zoom and redundant time-traveling storylines as me?)  I guess I was expecting more of a lead-in to DC's "New 52."  I learned more about Flashpoint and its consequences from reading articles online than from reading the comics, and there's some shame in that.  To me, that means that the writers, editors, and powers-that-be didn't do their job.   On a related note, I think the best part about Flashpoint #5 was the interaction between Flash and Batman at the end.  I wish more comic book series employed this human touch.  It makes the characters feel more real and relatable and demonstrates true story-writing ability. 

Aquaman looking bad-ass.

• Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance - one of the better related mini-series to the Flashpoint storyline.  It involves Thomas Wayne (Bruce's father) as Batman because Bruce died during the shooting that one fateful night at the theater instead of Thomas.  It's provides a good "what if?" storyline.
• Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons - another good mini-series with Deadman, Nightwing, and Dick Grayson's still-alive parents as traveling circusfolk.  
• Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman - another good Flashpoint related mini-series.  Aquaman and Wonder Woman's proposed union dissolves and the Atlanteans flood most of Europe, making him one of the world's most wanted. 
• Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies - Ties in with Emperor Aquaman.  While Aquaman has flooded most of Europe, Wonder Woman and her furies have taken over England. 
• Flashpoint: Citizen Cold - Captain Cold as a hero?  Well...not really.  And not really a great story either.  
• Flashpoint: Deathstroke & the Curse of the Ravager - Ever wonder what would happen if you crossed Deathstroke and Capt. Jack Sparrow?  Me neither.  Skip it.  I read the first issue and it was as lame as expected.
• Flashpoint: Legion of Doom - the Legion of Doom, with its recognizable headquarters shaped like a scary, giant Darth Vader-like head, holds a special fondness in my heart.  It reminds me of Saturday mornings as a kid, watching my favorite classic Super Friends cartoon shows.  This series focuses mainly on the villain Heatwave going on a killing spree with the assistance of his corrupt pal, Plastic Man.  Unfortunately, there's no true "Legion." 
• Flashpoint: The Outsider - I skipped this series all together. 
• Flashpoint: Abin Sur - The Green Lantern - what if Abin Sur had lived and there was no Green Lantern Hal Jordan?   Another average series.
• Flashpoint: Project: Superman - This series imagines Kal-El as a government-kept secret.  He's scrawny and shy.  I'm guessing it's the premise for the new Superboy series, which I'm not sure I'm going to like.  (Goodbye, former sensitive-jock Conner Kent.  I'll miss you.)  
• Flashpoint: Frankenstein & the Creatures of the Unknown - Dracula and vampires have been done to death (literally), so how about some focus on Frankenstein?  Frankenstein as a superhero and a leader of a superhero group?  Yeah...it's as bad as it sounds.  
• Flashpoint: Secret Seven - I bought and read this series for two reasons: the resurrection of Amethyst and George Perez as the artist.  While the art was fantastic (naturally), the story just wasn't there.  It was primarily about Shade the Changing Man (double yawn). 
• Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost - I think this series really helped support the main Flashpoint series as much as Emperor Aquaman and Wonder Woman and the Furies did.  I suspect its events also directly relate to the New 52.  
• Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint - Why was this series called The World of Flashpoint?  Oh, I guess because nobody would buy it if it just said Traci 13?  Anyway, it's about the mystical Traci 13 and her family.  Good, but nothing extraordinary.  
• Flashpoint: Lois Lane and the Resistance - resist buying this series unless you're a big fan for the Wildstorm Universe's Grifter being integrated into the DCU.
• Flashpoint: Hal Jordan - Hal Jordan as an every day hero instead of a superhero.  See:  Marvel Comics' Steve Rogers, Super Soldier (when he's not being Captain America).
• Flashpoint: Grodd of War - The world is divided up among villains.  Grodd happens to own all of Africa.  A good one-shot tie-in since we don't really see/learn much about him and his kingdom elsewhere.  
• Flashpoint: Reverse-Flash - if you didn't read enough of him in the main Flashpoint mini-series, here he is again, still time-traveling and fucking things up.  
• Flashpoint: Green Arrow Industries - The super-liberal, justice-seeking Oliver Queen as an arms dealer.  Meh. I guess that's why there was only one issue.
  
• Flashpoint: The Canterbury Cricket - I draw the line at giant, talking insects.  Seriously.  What is this?  Kafka?

I guess there were no Teen Titans in the world of Flashpoint?  Maybe the adults ate their young. 

So now that Flashpoint is now over, let's get into the meat of things and see what this whole New 52 is really all about.  I hope it was worth it...

The Bobby Ewing Syndrome

Since the announcement of DC canceling all of their titles and basically starting all over with 52 new titles, I've continued to pick up my comics at my local comic book shop, but as I read them, I find I have little to no enthusiasm in the characters or storylines anymore.  Why?  Because I know the series are going to end, the characters will no longer be themselves, they'll no longer have their history/connections, and the entire DC Universe is going to start anew in September with characters I don't even know or recognize anymore.  So, really, what's the point?  Come September, it'll be like waking up in Dallas, finding Bobby Ewing alive and well in your shower, and realizing that everything that happened previously was all just a dream.  

I don't even have the same excitement for Flashpoint and its many, many related mini-series, an event I was really looking forward to.   Again, I figure, what's the (flash)point? 

The best thing to really come out of this announcement is that I can sell entire set/series of comics on eBay since they won't really matter anymore in the continuum and, having ended, they're actual complete sets, not just partial sets of an ongoing series.  Thanks, DC, for helping me clear out my clutter and giving me some extra spending money.

Be afraid...be very afraid.

Am I the only one who's very worried about DC Comics' announcement that they're revamping the ENTIRE DC Universe?  

I've always been a DC fan over Marvel.  That's not to say that I don't read Marvel Comics, but I think the quality and characters at DC have always been, overall, better.  They're like family, and I know them all so well.  That's why, reading daily DCU Source blog postings, I'm very scared for the future.  

Flashpoint?  Great idea.  I love the idea of a temporary shift in reality.  But what DC has planned for the future really frightens me.  Taking all of the comic book series, mythos, characters, and TOTALLY revamping them?  Erasing their past?  Marvel did this when they created an Ultimates universe, while still maintaining the regular, ongoing universe they've had since Day One. (Note: I do not and have not read any Ultimates titles; I think the concept is ridiculous.  How can one expect (or even want) to keep up with the goings-on of two different universes filled with the same characters?)

DC, on the other hand, is making this kind of change to their current universe that's been in effect from the first appearances of Superman and Batman.  Yes, there have been events and retcons that have altered and rebooted the DC Universe (good examples are Crisis on Infinite Earths, John Byrne's Superman, and George Perez's Wonder Woman), but basically it's stayed the same overall. 

While DC may see this is a good jumping on point for new readers, it may also seem like a good jumping OFF point for many decades-long readers.  Gaining new, non-loyal readers in exchange for old, loyal readers?  Not a good marketing idea.  Statistics show it's better to retain and manage current customers than try to recruit new ones.  Why?  It's more costly.  In more ways than one.  

I grew up reading comics.  I read them continuously from about age 10 through age 24.  Then I started picking them up again when I was 38 and got hooked again.  I'm 41 now and I've been trying not to spend as much money monthly on comics ($120?  Yikes!).  This may be the excuse and motivation I was looking for.  Sorry, DC.  But thanks for saving me money.

The W in Wonder Woman stands for WTF

It's not Wonder Woman's fault her comic has never been as popular as Batman...or even Superman.  She's the victim of low standards. 

Wonder Woman #9 (1987)

I've always tried to support the Wonder Woman comic book series so it doesn't face extinction.  I read all 44 issues of the 2006 series reboot, even though I thought all the stories were pretty lame and didn't even come close to the quality of George Perez' reboot in 1987.   Perez utilized a great balance of Diana's past and present lives.  Her innocence and naivety in "man's world" was her charm.  Her character had depth; she was more "human" in her emotions than the humans with whom she came into contact.   Her supporting cast each had distinctive, interesting

In the 2006 series, Wonder Woman was pretty two-dimensional.  She had no substance or personality.  When she wasn't acting as secret agent Diana Prince, her adventures were too steeped in boring mythology.  She had a supporting cast of hundreds, all with unpronounceable and unmemorable names.  Basically, she was/is DC Comics' Thor. 

When I heard about Wonder Woman's latest reboot, I thought, "Hooray!"  I love Gail Simone's writing in the Secret Six and Birds of Prey series, but I didn't feel she (or the writers prior to her) ever did Wonder Woman justice.  I was even looking forward to the much-despised and talked about new costume if it meant that she was finally going to become a first class act. 

Unfortunately, what we -- the readers -- instead received was a confusing tale of some unfamiliar Wonder Woman.  Her origin is different.  Her costume is different.  Her personality is different.  And the stupid white apes she was living with (seriously?) have been replaced by a talking black cat, a la Sabrina the Teenage Witch.   I'm guessing this is leading up to being a Wonder Woman in some parallel universe storyline that will lead into the new Flashpoint event (with a return of her old costume to appease fans), but it's been a lame ride so far.  And, frankly, I'm quite disappointed.  No wonder studios don't want to greenlight a movie -- or even a new TV show -- about our star-spangled heroine.  If DC can't achieve quality in her comic book, who's to say a movie or TV show would do any better?  

Wonder Woman #604 (2011)

After every issue of Wonder Woman, I'm can't help but wonder, "WTF?"  

It's about time someone stepped up to the plate and gave our Amazon Princess her due.